Shadowed Strings: Obsession is a love language.

by V. Montgomery

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2026

About the author

V. Montgomery writes dark love stories filled with obsession, morally questionable choices, and characters who would absolutely be a therapist's worst nightmare.

Her books explore fixation, devotion, power, possession, and the dangerously thin line between being loved and being consumed. Expect dark humor, morally gray (and sometimes morally black) characters, and happy endings earned through an alarming number of bad decisions.

Whether her stories feature monsters, villains, antiheroes, or the people foolish enough to love them, one thing remains the same: the greatest danger has always been the things we want most.

She is a terribly private author who does not wish to be perceived. May her children never read her writing.

Reviews

[Dalia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie to you, I forgot I had applied for this and went in blind when I started reading it. What a wild ride!

At first, I honestly thought our FMC, Ana was absolutely delusional. She's in a terrible relationship where he controls everything she can and cannot do. Graham is an absolute asshole. I couldn't stand him. 😑 Anyway, Ana becomes obsessed with a guy (our MMC Cole) that she only had a brief moment of eye contact at Graham's work party. She ends up stalking Cole and gets super out of control. It had me in a chokehold because I needed to know what was coming next. 😅 I did not know what to expect next because it just got crazier and crazier. Little did she know, she wasn't the only stalker. 👀👀
I did love the way it ended, just kinda wish there was a little more... maybe a glimpse of the future they would've had.

Thank you V. Montgomery for giving ne the privilege to read your book before release! 🫶🏽

[Colie Ellingson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to ARC read this debut novel, and I have to say… what a wild ride.

This book had me questioning my own judgment more than once. The author does an incredible job pulling you into a morally gray, deeply unsettling story where you find yourself sympathizing with characters you probably shouldn’t. Ana’s situation is heartbreaking, and watching her navigate the darkness of her world had me invested from beginning to end.

The twists genuinely caught me off guard, and I never felt like I fully knew where the story was heading—which is one of my favorite things in a thriller/dark romance. While I do wish a few plot points had been explored or wrapped up a bit more, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall reading experience.

If you’re a dark romance reader who enjoys obsession, psychological tension, morally gray characters, and stories that make you question your own sanity a little, this one is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.

An impressive debut, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever this author writes next. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

(P.S. Go in as blind as possible. Trust me.)

[Gicela Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review! Just wanted to say thank you to V. Montgomery for this opportunity. Honestly this has been a fav of my reads this year the anticipation I felt after every page loved it! Ana’s actions had me questioning her! The whole book had me questioning everything! But when you get to Cole’s POV it really had me thinking even more on who was even more Psychotic! I love how we got both POV’s as I love to read what each character is thinking!

[Zonia H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the advance readers copy

Wow!! This book left me wondering if I’m mentally ok. It’s a dark romance and thriller. Didn’t think it could be possible but man did this work out magnificently. The plot twists leaves you feeling more unhinged. It’s a great book there’s a great plot and lots of spicy scenes that work in favor of the book. Ana and Cole definitely deserve each other. It sucks for Graham, but I feel like he got what he deserved.

[Krista Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read


I loved this book. I finished it in one day. Am I questioning what the hell is wrong with me? Absolutely. Did I stare at a wall for 10 minutes after finishing this book? yes I certainly did. BUT Ana and Cole are perfect for the dark romance girlies and I can’t believe this is the authors debut novel. The readers who love The Lords series, the devils night series, and/or the vipers series are going to be floored when they find this book.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to V. Montgomery for providing me with an ARC of Shadowed Strings in exchange for my honest review.

This book completely pulled me in from the very first chapter, and before I knew it, I was flying through the pages trying to figure out what was really happening. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist had me questioning everything all over again.

For a debut novel, I was genuinely impressed. The psychological tension kept building, the atmosphere was addictive, and I found myself constantly second-guessing every theory I came up with. It’s one of those stories that keeps your mind racing long after you put it down.

If you enjoy dark romance with mystery, obsession, suspense, and plenty of “wait… WHAT?!” moments, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what V. Montgomery writes next!

🖤 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Andreia R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was… deliciously dark.

I’m a genre hopper, but I usually lean towards magical realism and romance. I had never ventured into dark romance, though, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Boy, was I in for a ride!

I watched as Ana went deeper and deeper into the hole… and I’m not sure I would’ve behaved any differently if I were her. Every time I thought there was no way she’d cross a line, she crossed three. And I was right there with her, gladly following along. Anything to get closer to him.

Then the POV shifts, and everything somehow gets a thousand times better. We get a glimpse into Cole’s mind and his own *clears throat* issues. He will now be living rent free in my head, thank you very much.

No notes. Except… hurry up with Twisted Bonds!!

[Heather Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC review… spoiler free

Holy psychological stalker romance! You met Ana whom has been isolated from everyone in her life by her fiance Graham who makes her believe he is the only one left. At a work gala for his company, Ana spots a devastatingly handsome man across the room who she can’t take her eyes off of. She becomes obsessed, stalking him, stealing small trinkets of his, building a shrine, air tagging his car, getting her hands on his penthouse access card she gets braver and braver going into his home, sleeping in his bed, watching TV on his couch and planting cameras. She is absolutely crazy, but is she the only one??? You will never guess the twist and it is absolutely worth holding on through Ana’s psycho monologue to get to the last 1/3 of the book!!!

[dontbthrmeimreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am conflicted writing this review.
I had a hard time putting this book down because it kept me so engaged! The first part was all from Ana’s perspective and the completely unhinged things that she got up to that just had me cringing sometimes. Like girl what are you doing?! lol
Then we got to Cole’s perspective and oh boy did the story take a turn then! It was not even what I was expecting! Absolutely diabolical! His thoughts had me cackling. “Most men would’ve called the police. I wanted to introduce her to my mother.”
This book would have been 5 stars and an amazing book for this debut author but there were a few things that stuck out to me. The repeated use of phrases I.e. “he just didn’t know it yet.” Also no real answers about Cole’s past even though it was referenced a lot. It left you guessing and made to fill in your own blanks. No explanation about other characters and why they are helping or involved.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Shadowed by V. Montgomery

Release Date: July 24th, 2026

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5

Okay so this book was like giving me goosebumps the entire time. Ana Higares (FMC) seemed certifiable at first and I was like OMG this girl is literally crazy but then Graham’s backstory started to unfold and he did some things that I was like okay it makes sense now!!!

In comes Cole Parker (MMC) who seemed to be so completely utterly normal and then he was actually a little crazy! The plot twist was insane and I loved every minute of it. I would 100% read another book from this author.

10/10 MUST READ!!!!

Please read the trigger warnings this book might not be for you and that is okay!!

[Corinne Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Omg I have NEVER wanted to yell, "GO TO THERAPY," at two people more in my life.

I went into the book blind because it's my favorite way to do it. I AM SO GLAD. The dual POV completely changes the story, and watching the obsession escalate from "that's a little weird" to "oh... OH NO" was crazy 🤣 Cole is calm, calculating, and deeply concerning. Ana is somehow both sympathetic and absolutely unhinged. Together? They deserve matching restraining orders.

If you like morally black men, morally questionable women, mutual stalking, obsessive tension, and spending half the book wondering who should actually be afraid of whom... you'll probably have an awesome time.

Off to go touch grass for a bit...

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you what. I've never listened or read a book. um, that had me questioning my sanity quite as much as this one did. Uh, amazing book. Couldn't put it down. But holy crap, it was, like, such a nice twist to have it be the female main character that's the morally gray one. instead of it being the male main character. But then you find out at the end of the book they're both kinda messed up And, I don't know how I feel about that. And now I'm questioning my life choices, going, um, maybe I need to see my therapist. Maybe I need to call her again. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. Amazing book. Highly recommend it. Definitely read it. When it comes out next week on the 24th, get your hands on it.

[tonyasbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC received from Author

This is a debut novel by this author and WOW! I could hardly tell. Amazing dark stalker romance.

This book follows Ana, who is engaged to a very controlling man. When at a gala for her fiance's work she sees a man looking at her and she becomes immediately obsessed. The entire time I was rooting for Ana and the other man and then questioning what is wrong with me!

Then we get the POV from the other man and I definitely did not see that coming! But again, I loved every minute of it. The book was very well written. It flowed perfectly and kept me wondering what was coming the entire time!

Thank you V. Montgomery for the opportunity to read this book early!

[Cemera (Cece) B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review


Mannnn… what in the Joker & Harley Quinn is going on here 😆.

The whole first 200 pages we are w Ana who is a mentally unstable woman who is stalking her crush. We feel bad for her due to how her fiancé treats her… but we also yell out, no stop, don’t do that. She’s a morally grey FMC. You don’t know if you should root for her or not. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but you will definitely get a HUGE curveball after your 65% in the book. Definitely had me read this book within 2 days max. Great read

[Melissa Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting all of that starting this book. "Obsession is a love language" is the perfect tag line for this story. It was fun to read about an unhinged and totally obsessed woman for a change. This was definitely a twisted tale that will have you questioning your judgment. This was a page turner and I couldn't read the end fast enough to figure out how it ends. We hear so much of Ana's story, I am left wondering about Coles back story.

[The_first_last_page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok Ana is impulsive and unhinged in the best way. Graham is a manipulative bastard who had me seeing red more than once in this book. And Cole?!? I have no words. What I expected was laughed at thrown in my face and I was given just enough time to buckle up for this wild ride of obsession, possession, manipulation and left at the end wondering if they were crazy, I was crazy or are we all just crazy?

[Whitney Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book, even though I doubted my own sanity for a minute(because of how much I like it). She's the stalker...but not everything is as it seems. I loved getting everything entirely from her POV...until you get more all you know is what she knows.

[Jocelyn Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

hadowed Strings by @vmontgomerywrites is amazing. I was not expecting the twist and turns it took. I absolutely love Cole, and I was so shocked at how Ana reacted to things. But what i wasn't expecting was that Cole was as dark as he was. But it made me love him more. This book will have you not wanting to put it down it is hands down

[LittleBatsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book!! I genuinely haven't read one quite like this yet and let me just say...wow!! An absolute must read!! 10/10!! Really loved Ana and how she rationalized everything to herself. I was genuinely excited for her plan but then the plot twists happened and I loved it even more!! Genuinely can't wait for more from the author!!

[Acoustík · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hit bit a little miss

Definitely a 4 star for the writing, plot and flow. I would have gave it a 5 however I skimmed most of Ana’s stalking due to it was way too long and I got bored. It didn’t keep me hooked where I wanted to read it. Glad there was 2 POV because I would not finish the book.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Shadowed Strings. I have some mixed feelings about this book. I very much enjoyed the premise and twist but felt like many things were missed and left hanging in the end. Keeping in mind that this is a debut novel, I can definitely see promise in this author.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So just wow! This is a hard review to write because I can honestly say I have never read a book like this before. I’m gonna be super generic and general because telling too much will spoil the read for you. Seriously, go in blind.

It’s a dark romance, stalker, thriller book full of plot twists. It is really morally gray and I think I really liked it. If you like a book that keeps you guessing and not sure what is about to happen, I think you’ll really enjoy this.
Give it a try!!!

[Just Mena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book...

[M. Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride and new take on obsession!

V. Montgomery knocked this out of the park with epic obsession, super hot spice, and a twist you won't see coming.

[Elena B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to V. Montgomery for the ARC opportunity.

Shadowed Strings... I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised with this one. The book was addictive and had tension that kept building. It kept my mind moving a hundred miles a minute. And then the plot twist... wow.

If you’re looking for a dark romance with obsession (Stalker FMC AND Obsessed/possessive MMC), psychological tension, morally gray characters (like OMG), and stories that make you question your own mental a little, this one is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.

[Lani Bausewein · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reading Method: 📚
Length: 361 pages
Genre: Dark Romance

Thank you V. Montgomery for an advanced copy of Shadowed Strings. I enjoyed the book and appreciate the opportunity!

My initial review: I need 3-5 business days to process WTF that was. Will write a review when I mentally recover.

My current review (3 weeks later): What an absolute mind f*ck wild ride this was! This was a very solid 4⭐ read and my brain still can't fully comprehend the last third of the book. I feel like Dark Romance, if stalking and extremely morally gray characters are your jam, I very highly recommend this book!

Copied from Amazon:
Shadowed Strings is a dark, twisted romance about obsession, possession, and the thin line between hunter and prey. Perfect for fans of hauntingly addictive love stories where the lines between love and madness completely disappear.

Available NOW for purchase and on KU!

IG @lit.fic.lani

[Chelsea Lampley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for the lovers of the television show “You”, or the book Butcher and Blackbird. This is for the ones who like it dark and don’t let things like privacy or full consent stand in the way of what they want. This book had me laughing, clutching my pearls, and sweating profusely. The spice is high, the plot is driven like a street car in GTA and the characters are perfectly unhinged. If reverse psychology and breaking/entering are your thing, this is the book for you. I had so much fun reading this, I could not put it down and had it finished it less than 6 hours because I just had to know what unhinged thing she did next. The internal dialogue felt so natural and hilarious to the situations she found herself in and was the perfect representation of someone with mental health issues, like myself. I felt like I was reading my own internal dialogue on page, if I was Ana. I cannot wait to see what comes next for these two psychos.